Are you waiting for God? He acts on our behalf as we wait for Him. “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4).

A few years ago, my husband went in for his annual physical and the doctor ordered a routine chest x-ray. A lesion was found on his lung and a CAT scan was ordered. After the CAT scan, other tests were done. We asked our church and family to pray as we waited in expectancy to see how God would answer. During times of trial, depending on God to bring us through is sometimes difficult. However, we can always reflect on other times of suffering and how we were kept by His power.

My husband has been going to a cardiologist for the last two years and the x-rays have been negative. The cardiologist continues to check on this spot on the lung every six months. As we await results we trust God and know He is in control. Today we praise and thank God once again for a negative test. He alone has acted on our behalf as we wait for Him!

WAITING FOR GOD – HE STRENGTHENS US

As you are waiting for God, He strengthens you. “But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings as eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

I once heard an illustration about how God strengthens us during trials. It went like this: “Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm; it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. When the storms of life come upon us, we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us; we can allow God’s power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment into our lives. We can soar above the storm. Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.”

Waiting for God – He Blesses Us

When waiting for God, He blesses you. “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him” (Isaiah 30:18).

What does it mean to be blessed by God while we wait on Him? As we wait on God and His timing, He can accomplish so much in our hearts. Often we find new purpose in life, receive answers to prayer, see God work, increase our faith, and most often we see God’s perfect plan fulfilled in our situation. Remember, waiting is not wasted time!

There is more pleasure in serving God in the smallest of situations, than major positions and privilege in unholy projects.

The fringe-benefits of working for God in the humblest capacity, give more soul-satisfaction than indulging to the full “in the tents of the wicked”. To stand at Gods’ doorstep is itself an enriching experience. The occasional glimpse of the glory within, the snatch of some celestial refrain, perhaps the distant view of the divine presence – all these are far better than to be wholly involved in the raucous, outrageous and lascivious orgies of carnal celebrations.

And the doorkeeper has the privilege of introducing the invited people to the holy conventions of the guests of the Almighty. What a joy to let others into the holy banqueting hall! Clad in the Master’s uniform the sanctified janitor expresses a warm welcome thus:

“Come sinners to the Gospel feast, For everyone be Jesus’ guest; Ye need not one be left behind For God has bidden all mankind”.

“Doorkeeper”. If being a lowly servant of Jesus brings such blessed benefits, what will it be when the door opens wide to the janitor himself? “Come in, thou blessed of the Lord, wherefore standest thou without.”

My little boy was operated on for fluid on the knee in May, 1918 — when eleven months old.

He was put in plaster for six months in 1921, and in irons in 1922; he wore them day and night till. March, 1930.

Then I took him to Principal George Jeffreys’ meeting, and he was prayed for on 15th April, 1930. On Saturday, 19th April, he left his irons off, and his knee bent—he can now walk about like other children. Praise the Lord ! I also have been cured of a tumour. Bless His holy Name

It is five hundred years since the birth of John Calvin. As he worked mainly inGenevamany folks think he was Swiss by parentage. He was French, though much of his work was written in Latin as was the custom then for scholars, theologians, politicians and churchmen.

Jean Calvin, anglicised as John Calvin, was a major figure of the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth county. Some believe he was the greatest of that wonderful band of Reformers that included Martin Luther, Huldrech Zwingli, John Knox and Archbishop Cranmer.

His great work, his Christian Institutes began life as a fatly small handbook of . ‘w-basic doctrine, written originally in French and dedicated to the French King, Francis I. Over the years this fairly small book was greatly enlarged and the Standard English versions are usually two large volumes. As a systematic textbook of basic doctrine it disseminated the outline of the then new Protestantism. So far so good, but ever since the sixteenth century, Calvin has been severely criticised. Based largely on Augustine of Hippo, Calvin taught God destined some men to heaven and yet others to Hell and salvation that was unaffected by human action and decision. In the early seventeenth century the Dutch theologian Arminius opposed most of the main points of Calvinism and caused a serious split in theDutchChurch. Since then Calvanism has been opposed bv Arminianism. In the eighteenth century the Wesleys were Arminians. Most Pentecostal hare fallen into the Arminian camp, believing that salvation depends on human positive response to God’s graciouss offer of salvation in Christ.

I certainly believe in predestination; but the Bible doctrine of predestination is very different from Calvin’s version: The Church is predestinated to Heaven; but the individuals final destiny depends on his or her response to the Gospel. Calvin’s doctrine of Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice, and also that of the Eucharist, were roundly biblical; but his obstinate determinism will mean that my celebrations will be fairly muted.

Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32). Many of these, lost in a maze of royal impedimenta, are here rescued from oblivion by the literary researches instigated by King Hezekiah, possibly directed by Shibna the Scribe (2 Kings 18:18, 37, 19:3) who was chief librarian of the Court. How much great literature may still be lost in the neglected archives of now forgotten geniuses? This passage reflects on the duties and influence of kingship, indeed, of all kingly men.

First, (vs 2) a kingly man makes plain his ideals. God often conceals his ways from men, but those who work on the human plane should boldly confess the principles that guide their steps.

Secondly, (vs 3) a kingly man conceals his intentions. He does not disclose all his mind -only fools do that. A wise man should be transparent in his integrity, but reticent in his exposures lest his dreams exceed his deeds. A good man is often inscrutable – (cf 1 Cor 2:15).

Thirdly (vs 4,5) a kingly man implements his purposes by his choice of godly associates. By the process of suitable testing he “takes away the dross” of the wicked and gathers round him men refined and pure. So shall his works be established and his reputation secured.

Fourthly, (vs 6,7) a kingly man knows who to honour. There are those who push themselves forward in their endeavours to ingratiate themselves before important people. They tag along with the great in the hope of attaining some reflected dignity – a moon to the reigning sun. Jesus pointed out such (Luke 14:7-11) and lays down the principle that “whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted”.

Presumption is a daughter of pride, and often leads to humiliation. While we should not grovel before greatness, for every men should retain his personal dignity, yet neither should we assume positions for which we are not fitted, nor adopt attitudes unbecoming to sensible men. “He that is down need fear no fall”; a humble man can only go upward, it is the haughty adventurer that comes tumbling down the socially accepted scale.

John Henry Jowett was an English preacher who became known as the “greatest practitioner of the homiletic art of his time.” He grew up in a Christian home and always gave credit to his parents for what he became. He also credited his childhood Sunday School teacher as a great influence. His teacher’s vivid lessons made a great impression. He pastored numerous great churches inEngland and crossed the Atlantic to preach inAmerica many times. He was a stylist of preachers who cared greatly for words, so much so that he studied the dictionary as a textbook. His sermons were well studied, but not bookish, always committed to the grand themes of the Christian faith. He was a voluminous writer, with many of his works still in print today.

I have had but one passion, and I have lived for it-the absorbingly arduous yet glorious work of proclaiming the grace and love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Jowett was born inHalifax,England in 1864. “I was blessed with the priceless privilege of a Christian home,” he later remarked. His love for reading manifested itself early as he spent his evenings in the town’s Mechanics’ Institute, devouring volumes from their library.

Jowett’s father had arranged for him to begin working as a clerk for a lawyer inHalifax, but the encouragement of his Sunday school teacher, Mr. Dewhirst, turned Jowett’s heart toward the ministry.

After theological training atEdinburghandOxford, Jowett assumed the pastorate of the Saint James Congregational Church. His six effective years of ministry brought him to the attention of the Carr’s Lane Church inBirmingham,England, on the death of their pastor. For the next fifteen years the church grew and prospered. Their pastor’s vision led them to increase their efforts to bring people to Christ. In 1917, the mayor ofBirminghamsaid the church had changed the town with “crime and drunkenness having decreased.”

Jowett came to Americafor the first time in 1909 to address the Northfield Conference founded by D. L. Moody. While in Americahe preached twice at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church inNew York. The church immediately asked him to come as its pastor. Jowett refused, having received a petition, signed by more than 1,400 members of his church inEngland, begging him to stay. TheFifthAvenueChurchcalled him again, and then a third time. Finally Jowett concluded that this was God’s leading for his life. He assumed the pastorate in 1911.

Although his preaching style was not dynamic (he read all of his sermons), the depth of his knowledge, the clarity of his language, and the power of his life commanded respect. Attendance at the church which had dropped to 600 on Sunday morning rose to 1,500. Lines up to half a block long formed, waiting for unclaimed seats. Jowett began preparing his Sunday sermons on Tuesday, following a meticulously detailed schedule.

When G. Campbell Morgan resigned the Westminster Chapel inLondonin 1917, Dr. Jowett once again crossed the ocean to take a new church. This would be his final pastorate.

Declining health forced him to give up preaching in 1922, and his death in 1923 took from the world one of its most gifted and dedicated preachers.

Once there were two young men working their way throughLelandStanfordUniversity. Their funds reached an all-time low, so they had the bright idea to solicit Polish pianist Ignace Paderewski, who was touring theU.S., for a piano recital. They decided they would devote the profits to their board and tuition.

The pianist’s manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The fearless students worked hard to promote and stage the concert, but wound up only raising $1,600. After the concert, the two students presented the artist with their earnings along with a promissory note for $400 explaining they would earn the amount as soon as possible and send it to him.

Paderewski said, “No, I’m sorry, but that won’t do.” He tore the note to shreds, returned the money to them, and continued, “Take out of this $1,600 all of your expenses, keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me have the rest.”

Years went by and Paderewski became the premier of Poland. As war came upon the world, Paderewski strived to feed thousands of his starving Polish countrymen. Paderewski knew there was only one man in the world who could help his people. He called upon him, and tons of food began to flow into Poland for distribution.

After the people were fed, Paderewski travelled toParis to thank his friend, Herbert Hoover, for the relief sent. Mr. Hoover replied, “That’s all right, Mr. Paderewski. Besides, you don’t remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and I was in a hole.”

PRAYER CHALLENGE

Ask the Lord to give you the opportunity to serve others in need this season. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you and for taking care of all your needs.

This major prophet, Isaiah, is called upon to declare and affirm some very important messages to God’s people over a long period of time. He is raised up by Jehovah at a crucial period and sent to make known the true, spiritual state of the people and to give revelation concerning God’s intention. The Lord is by no means pleased by what He beholds and makes known that definite action will be taken. There is to proceed great and awful judgements because of the evil that is being practiced in the land. He cannot be restrained any further because He has been driven to justice by the appalling wickedness. If He did not act He would have to apologize to the former inhabitants ofSodomand Gomorrha. Even though this be so, hope and assurance is to be extended with regard to the ultimate future – Isaiah 4: 2-6. There is the promise and prospect of a fantastic restoration from the Lord.

1/. THE BRANCH OF THE LORD WILL BE FRUITFUL – v2

This will be a very significant factor in the light of what is spoken in chapter 5. The Lord gives a revelation of his labours to produce a very fruitful vine in the land. He had made every endeavour to produce a beautiful and bountiful people and had certainly made all the provision for the creation of the best – w1,2. Instead of harvesting a rich and sweet produce, He is disappointed and so has to expose it to severe judgement – vv5-7. But His final hope is that there is going to be a lush and fruitful bough in the land – see Joseph -Genesis 49: 22; Hosea 14:5-7. He will not be disappointed in the end.

2/. THE REMNANT WILL BECOME A HOLY PEOPLE – vv3,4

Two things are assured with regard to the people: firstly, there will be a people that will be saved out of the judgement. They will be an elect and chosen people whose names are written down by God who have not believed and behaved in an evil fashion. They have dared to be different in spite of the prevailing wickedness. This people are a righteous root that is destined to produce good fruit. Secondly, the Lord will cleanse by washing the moral filth that has been created and by His burning presence and power remove all the effects of sin. Holiness is to characterize people and the land.

3/.THE LORD WILL BE THE SECURITY – w5,6

The great end result is that both people and land will be under His preserving order and hand. The Divine Cloud indicates His watchful eye and at the same time provides a shade and shelter thus all exists under His security. The developments for good will become possible because of His vigilance and superintendence. There will be no need to fear.

CONCLUSION

The Lord always lives up His promises and this will surely be as declared.

I thought I had a good idea of what church planting was all about, having been involved in small local churches pre­viously and reading lots of literature from established leaders. But nothing turned out quite the way I thought it would.

Planting a church has not been easy, and we have certainly had our chal­lenges. Initially, we attracted people who were already Christians and who wanted to be involved in something local. It soon became ap­parent that a new church attracts all kinds of people – some with good gifts, oth­ers with baggage and their own ideas of how a church should be run.

We have organised a number of events over the two years and continue to sow in anticipation of the reaping! My main aim and focus has been to build the believers into strong, on-fire

Christians who are open to the Spirit of God, who live the Word of God and who witness.

This might sound sur­prising to many, as a new church needs to evangelise and reach the community, which is true, but the nurs­ery needs to be ready for the new babies.

We have had some dis­appointments with a few key people leaving us because their own idea of what the church should be was not realised soon enough for them. Numbers are im­portant in a church plant situation as a crowd brings in a crowd, so we are praying that God will bring new peo­ple to us who are prepared to work hard and bring in the harvest.

I have a good team around me and we are going forward into what God is going to do in the coming months.

Hebrews 10:23 – ‘Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful’

It’s been quite a summer, in what is often a quiet period in the rhythm of national life we’ve seen open anarchy on the streets of our great capital city, spilling out to other places, for some of you right in the heart of the communities you serve. Nottinghamnear where I live was one of the cities impacted. On local television a leading Anglican bishop who serves this area, was asked ‘Are you despairing?’ he replied ‘No, because there is always hope!’

Someone said ‘Hope is an ability to see the future different to what it is today’, Christian leaders do exactly that, be reminded that hope is

Foundational – Hebrews 11:1 – ‘Faith is the substance of what we hope for’

Inspirational – Ephesians 1:18 – ‘Know the hope to which he has called you’

Eternal – 1 Corinthians 15:19 – ‘If (hope) only for this life, we are to be pitied’

Andy Ripley, a brilliant rugby back-row forward of the seventies and eighties, who played for bothEnglandand the British Lions, sadly died last year after a long battle with cancer, age 62. He wrote a book that revealed an insight on hope.

‘Dare we hope? We dare.

‘Can we hope? We can.

‘Should we hope? We must.

‘We must because to do otherwise is to waste the most precious of gifts, given freely by God to all of us.’

Let’s go into this next season of life and ministry, as purveyors of hope, seeing things different from what they are today – ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’.